Weekend Picks: Mom’s picking this weekend =)

May 8, 2014

10:00am-4:00pm: EU Embassies Open House 2014(Various locations)Experience the best of European Culture without the Jet Lag! The European Union Embassies and the EU Delegation to the United States will open their doors to the public for the annual EU Embassies’ Open House: a day of family fun, food, culture and more. The event offers visitors a rare look inside the embassies and provides a unique opportunity for them to experience the cultural heritage and national traditions of the 28 member countries.

10:00am-6:00pm:Bethesda Fine Arts Festival(Bethesda Woodmont Triangle, Norfolk Ave., between Auburn and Del Ray Aves., Bethesda, Md)
Delight in fine art created by 130 of the nation’s best artists, live entertainment and Bethesda restaurants. Children’s area will be on Auburn Ave.

I’ll be joining forces with Here Comes Trouble as we mix it up to a mix of our tunes in the intimate space of FNDTN! Get tickets online for a discount (recommended!) or buy at the door if available. This is gonna be so much fun — hope you can join us! $6 in advance online; $8 at door.

10:30am: Mr. Skipat DC Family Fiestaat El Tamarindo(1785 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009)Mr. Skip’s been delighting and enlightening young children for nearly 40 years and is a popular musician at Boogie Babes during the week. Come join the fun!A great way to kick-off the weekend! Stay after the show for El Tamarindo’s delicious food and kid-friendly options. Children of all ages will enjoy the music. $4 person/3 people for $10.

10:30am: Rocknoceros at Jammin Java(227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA 22180)
As every family with youngsters in the DC area already knows, Rocknoceros (pronounced like rhinoceros) is three guys: Coach Cotton, Williebob, and Boogie Woogie Bennie, who make wildly popular, award-winning music for the whole family. Tickets are $5.

11:00am-4:00pm: Train Day at Union Station(50 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC. 20002)Celebrate train travel across this country at this national event. Train enthusiasts and supporters around the nation celebrate National Train Day. Chuggington Train Depot sure to keep the kids busy. View various trains and displays while there. You can also buy tickets for a 35 minute Acela ride to Bowie and back. Tickets are $5 adults, $2.50 kids.

11:30am-3:00pm: Mothers Day Family Festival at American Art Museum(8th and F Streets NW in Kogod Courtyard)Celebrate your family and the caregivers in your life during this family day. Make portraits of your loved ones like the ones artist Fasanella did of his parents; create a bouquet of paper flowers to give to someone special; and make a decorative family tree to display in your home with artistAlyson Johnson. Get your dancing shoes on, folk band theKnuckle Dusters performs live! Enjoy a puppet performance by Wits End Puppets in the museum with your family!

8 to 10 years old (1:30pm-3:00pm): Super Heroes – Superman and Elastigirl: We all know that super heroes have special powers, so let’s take a look at the science of their super powers or super gadgets. In this fast paced, adventure class we examine a non-newtonian fluid that might be the key to Superman’s suit. Then, experiment with polymers and find out how Elastigirl might get her stretchiness.

11 to 13 years old(3:30pm-5:00pm): Electricity – Squishy Circuits: Students are introduced to electricity in this shocking lab! We build electrical circuits and the flow of electricity. Then, we create creatures that light up, using special conductive and insulating doughs along with lights and batteries.

5:00pm-10:00pm: Side Yards at The Yards(355 Water Street SE , Washington DC 20003)
Come one, come all, to the first ever riverfront sideshow extravaganza: Side Yards at The Yards. It’s an evening of amusement and wonder featuring some of the DC area’s top sideshow performers; Circus of Wonders. Three side-stages of entertainment will showcase their terrifying talents with contortionists, magicians, jugglers, fire breathers, sword swallowers and more. To keep the show going, there will also be death-defying live music on the center stage from DC’s ringmasters of music: Drop Electric, Shark Week, and U.S. Royalty. But wait … if you still desire more you can enjoy some boardwalk snacks, visit a fortuneteller, or be mesmerized in the Bluejacket beer garden all evening long.

Sunday- Happy Mothers Day!

10:00am-10:45am: Sunday Fun Dayat Imagination Stage (4908 Auburn Ave. Bethesda, Md. 20814)
We invite you and your child to bring your favorite stories to life through dramatic play activities, movement, music, and visual art. Each session you leave with a completed craft, as well as a Parent Pack to extend the experience at home. These popular workshops are themed around beloved children’s books, this weeks story: How Do Dinosaurs Say Happy Birthday. Best for ages 1-3. $10 per personRegister Online

10:00am-5:00pm:Bethesda Fine Arts Festival(Bethesda Woodmont Triangle, Norfolk Ave., between Auburn and Del Ray Aves., Bethesda, Md)
Delight in fine art created by 130 of the nation’s best artists, live entertainment and Bethesda restaurants. Children’s area will be on Auburn Ave.

1:00pm-3:00pm: Fiesta Asia Planet Family at National Zoo(3001 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008)We love our mommies! Fiesta Asia started dedicating a special tribute to mothers since 2008 with an afternoon of fun family time featuring cultural performances by children of all ages for the whole family. We have debut Panda Dance, Polynesian Roll, Rabbit Hop, Bollywood Shake and even the Taiko Dog Woof! Every child has the opportunity to learn the different dances together with their moms, (and dads too!) show her how talented you are and thank her for loving you.

2:00pm-5:00pm:Portrait Story Days: Mary Cassatt at The National Portrait Gallery(Eighth & F St NW, Washington, DC 20001 – Education Center, Room E151)Drop in to listen to a story about a person who has influenced American history and culture and to create a special piece of art. Today, learn about American artist Mary Cassatt (1844-1926).

2:30pm-4:30pm: Celebrate Mother’s Day with the United States Botanic Garden(100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024)As part of your Mother’s Day celebration, come spend an afternoon in the Garden where we will explore the special relationship we have with plants. Participants will create art with materials and go on a guided tour. Sample the delicious products resulting from some of these special people-plant relationships. Please note: This is a child-parent program. Participating children must be at least 8 years of age.